User interfaces for dialysis devices

ABSTRACT

In general, a dialysis device includes a first processing device for monitoring dialysis functions of the dialysis device, a second processing device, a display device, and memory. The memory is configured to store instructions that, when executed, cause the dialysis device to provide, on the display device, a first display region and a second display region, where the first display region is associated with the first processing device and the second display region is associated with the second processing device. At least a portion of the first display region cannot be obscured by the second display region.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation and claims the priority of U.S. Ser.No. 12/971,335, filed Dec. 17, 2010, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent application relates generally to user interfaces fordialysis devices.

BACKGROUND

Dialysis is a treatment used to support a patient with insufficientrenal function. The two principal dialysis methods are hemodialysis andperitoneal dialysis.

During hemodialysis (“HD”), the patient's blood is passed through adialyzer of a dialysis machine while also passing a dialysis solution ordialysate through the dialyzer. A semi-permeable membrane in thedialyzer separates the blood from the dialysate within the dialyzer andallows diffusion and osmosis exchanges to take place between thedialysate and the blood stream. These exchanges across the membraneresult in the removal of waste products, including solutes like urea andcreatinine, from the blood. These exchanges also regulate the levels ofother substances, such as sodium and water, in the blood. In this way,the dialysis machine acts as an artificial kidney for cleansing theblood.

During peritoneal dialysis (“PD”), a patient's peritoneal cavity isperiodically infused with dialysis solution or dialysate. The membranouslining of the patient's peritoneum acts as a natural semi-permeablemembrane that allows diffusion and osmosis exchanges to take placebetween the solution and the blood stream. These exchanges across thepatient's peritoneum, like the continuous exchange across the dialyzerin HD, result in the removal waste products, including solutes like ureaand creatinine, from the blood, and regulate the levels of othersubstances, such as sodium and water, in the blood.

Many PD machines are designed to automatically infuse, dwell, and draindialysate to and from the patient's peritoneal cavity. The treatmenttypically lasts for several hours, often beginning with an initial draincycle to empty the peritoneal cavity of used or spent dialysate. Thesequence then proceeds through the succession of fill, dwell, and drainphases that follow one after the other. Each phase is called a cycle.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a dialysis device includes a first processing device formonitoring dialysis functions of the dialysis device, a secondprocessing device, a display device, and memory. The memory isconfigured to store instructions that, when executed, cause the dialysisdevice to provide, on the display device, a first display region and asecond display region, where the first display region is associated withthe first processing device and the second display region is associatedwith the second processing device. At least a portion of the firstdisplay region cannot be obscured by the second display region.

In another aspect, a method includes providing, on a display deviceassociated with a dialysis machine, a first display region and a seconddisplay region, where the first display region is associated with afirst processing device of the dialysis machine and the second displayregion is associated with a second processing device of the dialysismachine. The method further includes preventing at least a portion ofthe first display region from being obscured by the second displayregion.

In a further aspect, a method of providing dialysis treatment includesproviding, on a display device associated with a dialysis machine duringdialysis treatment of a patient, a first display region and a seconddisplay region. The first display region is associated with a firstprocessing device of the dialysis machine and the second display regionis associated with a second processing device of the dialysis machine.At least a portion of the first display region is prevented from beingobscured by the second display region. The first display region isconfigured to present information about the dialysis treatment and thesecond region is configured to present one or more medical recordsassociated with the patient.

Implementations can include one or more of the following features.

At a given point in time, only one of the first display region and thesecond display region can respond to input received from an inputdevice.

The first display region includes information associated with a dialysistreatment session.

The first display region includes one or more notifications associatedwith a dialysis treatment session.

The second display region includes information associated with one ormore medical records.

The instructions further cause the dialysis device to designate eitherthe first display region or the second display region as an activedisplay region.

Designating either the first display region or the second display regionas an active display region includes designating, for a given point intime, which of the first display region and the second display regioncan respond to input received from an input device.

The dialysis device is configured to automatically designate the firstdisplay region as the active display region in response to apredetermined event.

The predetermined event includes one or more notifications associatedwith a dialysis treatment session.

The first display region and the second display region include a firstviewing pane and a second viewing pane, respectively.

The dialysis device is configured to present the first display regionand the second display region in a first dedicated display region of thedisplay device and a second dedicated display region of the displaydevice, respectively.

The dialysis device is configured to simultaneously present the firstdisplay region in the first dedicated display region and the seconddisplay region in the second dedicated display region.

The first dedicated display region and the second dedicated displayregion are arranged side by side.

Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from thedescription and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is diagram showing an example of a patient care environment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another example of a patient careenvironment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example hemodialysis machine.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example process for displaying information.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example hemodialysis machine.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hemodialysis is a process which employs a machine that includes adialyzer to aid patients whose renal function has deteriorated to thepoint where their body cannot adequately rid itself of toxins. Thedialyzer typically includes a semi-permeable membrane that serves todivide the dialyzer into two chambers. Blood is pumped through onechamber and a dialysis solution through the second. As the blood flowsby the dialysis fluid, impurities, such as urea and creatinine, diffusethrough the semi-permeable membrane into the dialysis solution. Theelectrolyte concentration of the dialysis fluid is set so as to maintainelectrolytic balance within the patient.

Further purification in a dialyzer is possible through ultrafiltration.Ultrafiltration results from the normal situation wherein there is apositive pressure differential between the blood and the dialysis fluidchambers. This pressure differential causes water in the blood to passthrough the membrane into the dialysis solution. This provides thebenefit of reducing a dialysis patient's excess water load whichnormally would be eliminated through proper kidney functioning.

Patients undergoing dialysis therapy typically travel three or moretimes per week to hospital or dialysis centers that are designed forefficient and routine dialysis therapy. Hemodialysis is a complextreatment process in which, typically, an arterio-venous shunt,frequently termed a “fistula,” is surgically inserted between apatient's artery and vein to facilitate transfer of blood from thepatient to the dialyzer. During a normal dialysis treatment, one end ofan arterial line or tube is inserted into the upstream end of thefistula (i.e., at a point near the patient's artery) and transportsblood withdrawn from the upstream portion of the fistula to the inlet ofthe dialyzer. A venous line or tube is connected to the output of theblood side of the dialyzer returns treated blood to the fistula at aninsertion point downstream of the arterial line (i.e., at a point nearthe patient's vein).

Successful dialysis treatment typically includes monitoring severalpatient vital signs and hemodialysis parameters during the dialysisprocess in order to optimize the overall efficacy of the dialysisprocedure, to assess the condition of the fistula (the access to thepatient's blood) and to determine the actual purification achieved. Someexamples of parameters monitored and analyzed by a hemodialysis machine(or equipment include the blood access flow rate or the rate at whichblood flows out of the patient to the dialyzer) and the ratio Kt/V tomeasure dialysis efficiency, where K is the clearance or dialysance(both terms representing the purification efficiency of the dialyzer), tis treatment time and V is the patient's total water value.

A processing device located on the hemodialysis machine may be used tomanage and oversee the functions of the hemodialysis process and to, forexample, monitor, analyze and interpret patient vital signs andhemodialysis parameters during a hemodialysis procedure. A health carepractitioner such as a nurse, a patient care technician (or a homehealth aide if dialysis is performed at a patient's home) may overseethe dialysis treatment sessions. Data provided by the hemodialysismachine and the processing device may aid the health care practitionerin performing his or her duties.

Health care practitioners are often tasked with duties other thandialysis treatment oversight. For example, dialysis treatment centersmust manage a large amount of data that must be entered and recorded. Inaddition to patient blood pressure, pulse, and select treatmentparameters, other data relating to the patient may be entered, tracked,and coordinated, such as patient identity information, schedulinginformation, and billing information. Computing devices have beenutilized to assist with data entry.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a patient care environment 10 in which apatient 4 seated in a chair 6 receives medical treatment from atreatment station 22. The medical treatment is, for example, dialysis,and, more particularly, hemodialysis. The treatment station 22 may be ahemodialysis treatment station or hemodialysis device. A tube orarterial line 8 transports blood from the patient 4 to the hemodialysisdevice 22 and back again to the patient 4 after processing and treatmentin the hemodialysis device 22. The hemodialysis device 22 with display20 is connected via cabling 18 to a processor 14 which controls a touchscreen display 12. The touch screen display 12 is mounted on a movablestand 16. The touch screen display 12 includes a touch screen thatpermits a health care practitioner (HCP) such as a nurse, a patient caretechnician (or a home health aide if dialysis is performed at apatient's home), or even a patient to press the display 12 to, forexample, enter patient or other data.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a patient care environment 100 in which thepatient 4 is seated in the chair 6 and receives medical treatment from atreatment station 102. The treatment station 102 may be any medicaldevice, for example, a dialysis device. Most particularly, the treatmentstation 102 may be a hemodialysis treatment station or hemodialysisdevice. The tube or arterial line 8 is, once again, used fortransporting blood from the patient 4 to the hemodialysis (HD) device102 and back again to the patient 4 after processing and treatment ofthe blood in the HD device 102. The HD device 102 may be configured tocommunicate with an external network 120, such as a local-area networkor the Internet, via a wired or wireless connection 124.

The HD device 102 may include a display 112 with, e.g., touch screen orother user input features, such as a keyboard or touchpad. The HD device102 may centralize and consolidate hemodialysis functions and data entryfunctions in a single device 102, without, e.g., the use of a separate,external display (e.g., display 12 of FIG. 1) or a separate, externalprocessor (e.g., processor 14) with associated equipment (e.g., movablestand 16). Consolidation of functions in a single HD device 102 may alsoreduce the amount of external cabling (e.g., cabling 18) to the device102. The HD device 102 may reduce the amount of space needed forhemodialysis treatment and present less crowding of the patient careenvironment 100. An HCP may be able to focus solely on the HD device102, or the display 112 of the HD device 102, without the HCP'sattention being diverted to, e.g., another external display. The HDdevice 102 may reduce power consumption and cost as compared to other,non-centralized implementations.

Due to the complex and precise nature of the hemodialysis process,hemodialysis functions, such as monitoring a patient's vital signs andmonitoring the operation of hemodialysis machines are, in general, morecritical to the safety and well-being of the patient 4 connected to theHD device 102 than other functions, such as patient data entry, that maybe performed using the device 102. In the event that functions otherthan hemodialysis functions, such as providing medical records orcommunication programs, are to be integrated into the HD device 102,isolation of these functions from the hemodialysis functions may beachieved through the use of more than one processing device.

Use of more than one processing device may present its own set of designchallenges since different processing devices used for differentfunctions may be incompatible with one another and may communicate with,e.g., user interface devices (not shown in FIG. 2) in different,incompatible ways.

FIG. 3 shows a medical treatment system 300 that includes a dialysismachine 302. The dialysis machine 302 may be configured to share userinterface resources, (e.g., a user interface device 316) between a firstprocessing device 312 and a second processing device 314. In someexamples, the first and the second processing devices 312, 314 areconfigured to share the use of a display 304 associated with thedialysis machine 302. Although one user interface device 316 is shown inFIG. 3, several user interface devices may be used in the medicaltreatment system 300. While in the example of FIG. 3, the user interfacedevice 316 is connected to the dialysis machine 302 via a cable 318, theuser interface device 316 or other user interface devices cancommunicate wirelessly with the dialysis machine 302, or may be integralto the dialysis machine 302. In some cases, the display 304 of thedialysis machine 302 is used as the user interface.

The user interface devices used in medical treatment system 300 mayinclude any of a variety of user interface devices known in the art,such as an alphanumeric keyboard or a keypad, a pointing device (e.g., atouchpad, a mouse, or a trackball), a display, and a display with atouch screen. In some examples, such as the example of FIG. 3, one ormore of the user interface devices may be located external to thedialysis machine 302.

The first processing device 312 may be a functional dialysis processingdevice (FHP) that may be configured to monitor dialysis functions of thedialysis machine 302. The second processing device 314 may be amicroprocessor, such as a standard personal computer (PC) processor,embedded within the dialysis machine 302, and may be referred to as anembedded processing device (EP). The second processing device 314 of thedialysis machine 302 may be configured to communicate with the externalnetwork 120 (FIG. 2), such as a local-area network or the Internet, viaa wired or wireless connection 124 (FIG. 2) (and, e.g., via a networkinterface (not shown)). In FIG. 3, the second processing device 314communicates with the user interface device 316 through the firstprocessing device 312; however, the user interface device 316 or otheruser interface devices may communicate directly with the secondprocessing device 314. Furthermore, while both the first processingdevice 312 and the second processing device 314 are shown as controlling(e.g., communicating directly with) the display 304, either or both ofthe first and second processing devices 312, 314 could communicate withthe display 304 via one or more additional computing elements, such asone or more graphical processing units.

In some examples, the display 304 may include multiple display regions.For example, in FIG. 3, the display 304 includes both a first displayregion 306 and a second display region 308. The display 304 isconfigured to display the first and second display region one at a time(e.g., by toggling between the first display region 306 and the seconddisplay region 308), and to display the first display region 306 and thesecond display region 308 simultaneously, as shown. By way of example,one or both of the first display region 306 and the second displayregion 308 can be presented on the display 304 as one or more viewingpanes. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the display 304 maysimultaneously present a first display region 306 that is under thecontrol of the first processing device 312 and a second display region308 that is under the control of the second processing device 314. Thefirst display region 306 may be configured to display informationassociated with the medical treatment of a patient, and the seconddisplay region 308 may be configured to display information associatedwith programs or processes running on the second processing device 314,such as medical database programs, communication programs (emailclients, instant messaging programs), media players, and other programsor processes not directly related to the treatment of a dialysispatient.

At a given time during the operation of the dialysis machine 302, onlyone of the first display region 306 and the second display region 308 isactive. In some examples, a display region can be said to be active whenit may respond to user input (e.g., via the user input device 316). Adisplay region can be made active automatically in response to an event,such as an alarm or notification associated with the medical treatmentof a patient. A display region can also be made active in response touser activation of a control. For example, a user can use activate aportion of the first display region 306 with a cursor controlled by theuser input device 316 in order to make the first display region 306 theactive display region. In some examples, the dialysis machine 302 canautomatically designate either the first display region 306 or thesecond display region 308 as the active display region. For example, ifan alarm or notification is generated by the dialysis machine 302 in thefirst display region 306, the dialysis machine 302 can automaticallydesignate the first display region 306 as the active display region ofthe display 304.

The arrangement of the first and second display regions can be alteredaccording to user input or can be altered according to predefined rules(e.g., the execution of a particular program or programs can cause thearrangement of the first and second display regions to be altered).

In some examples, the first display region 306 includes a priorityregion 310 that, in some examples, is configured to always be displayedon the display 304 regardless of whether the first display region 306 isactive. The priority region 310 is configured to display treatmentparameters associated with the medical treatment of a patient, such asvital signs and dialysis parameters. The priority region 310 canalternatively be configured to present other important information, suchas alarms and notifications associated with the medical treatment of apatient.

In some examples the priority region 310 of the first display region 306cannot be obscured by other display regions, such as the second displayregion 308. For example, while the first and second display regions 306,308 may be dragged, re-sized, and otherwise repositioned, the dialysismachine 302 can implement rules that prevent the second display region308 from being positioned to overlap or cover the priority region 310.

The dialysis machine 302 also includes an audio device 320 which, inthis example, is a speaker. The audio device 320 can provide an auditorycue that represents a notification or alarm. The auditory cue can be avoice message, a siren, or other sounds that are intended to attractattention or provide instructions.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example process 400 for presenting information ona display associated with a dialysis machine (e.g., the dialysis machine302 (FIG. 3)). A first display region and a second display region isprovided on a display device, the first display region being associatedwith a first processing device and the second display region beingassociated with a second processing device (402). In some examples, asshown in FIG. 3, the first display region and the second display regionmay be represented by respective viewing panes on a display, such as aliquid crystal display (LCD) embedded in the dialysis machine. In someexamples, the first display region is associated with a first processingdevice that controls the main functions of the dialysis machine, such asthe administration of treatment sessions. Similarly, the second displayregion may be associated with a second processing device that implementsprocesses and/or programs that are ancillary to the medical treatment ofa patient. For example, the second display region may displayinformation associated with programs that manage patient medicalrecords.

At least a portion of the first display region is designated as beingunable to be obscured by the second display region (404). In someexamples, the dialysis machine may designate a display region (or aportion thereof) as a region that is always visible on the display whilethe display is in operation. In other words, a display region that isdesignated as being unable to be obscured by a second display region canbe said to be designated as a “priority” display region. In someexamples, the dialysis machine designates a portion of a display regionassociated with the medical treatment of a patient as a display regionthat cannot be obscured by the second display region (or, in someexamples, by any other display region). The dialysis machine can enforcerules that prevent the priority region from being obscured. For example,the dialysis machine can block display regions that are dragged towardthe priority region in a way that prevents the priority region frombeing overlapped by another display region. In some examples, thepriority region can be designated as having an “always on top”characteristic; for example, display regions that are dragged into aposition that would otherwise overlap the priority display region can beshifted to a layer behind the priority display region (e.g., the draggedregion would appear on the display as being behind the priority displayregion).

FIG. 5 shows an example medical device system 500 that includes adialysis machine 502. Like the dialysis machine 302 shown in FIG. 3, thedialysis machine 502 includes a display 504 that is configured todisplay both a first display region 516 and a second display region 518.In some examples, the first display region 516 is controlled by a firstprocessing device 512, and the second display region 518 is controlledby a second processing device 514. In some examples, the first displayregion is associated with a first processing device that controls themain functions of the dialysis machine, such as the administration oftreatment sessions. Similarly, the second display region may beassociated with a second processing device that implements processesand/or programs that are ancillary to the medical treatment of apatient. For example, the second display region may display informationassociated with programs that manage patient medical records.

The display 504 of the dialysis machine 502 includes both a firstdedicated display region 506 and a second dedicated display region 508.The first and second dedicated display regions 506, 508 may be dedicatedportions of one physical display device, or may be comprised of twoseparate display devices (e.g., multiple LCD screens). In some examples,the dedicated display regions 506, 508 represent defined areas in whichdisplay regions are presented. For example, in FIG. 5, the first displayregion 516 and the second display region 518 are presented side-by-sidein their corresponding dedicated display regions 506, 508. While thededicated display regions 506, 508 are arranged side-by-side in FIG. 5,the dedicated display regions can be arranged in other configurations,such as a stacked configuration. Though only two dedicated displayregions are shown, the dialysis machine 502 can include any number ofdedicated display regions. The arrangement of dedicated display regionscan be predefined (e.g., configured by a manufacturer of the dialysismachine 502) or can be defined by a user. The arrangement of thededicated display regions can further be altered according to user inputor can be altered according to predefined rules (e.g., the execution ofa particular program or programs can cause the arrangement of thededicated displays to be altered).

While the dialysis machines described above have been described asincluding two processing devices, the dialysis machines could includeany number of processing devices. Similarly, while the dialysis machinesdescribed include either two display regions, two dedicated displayregions, or both, dialysis machines can include any number of displayregions or dedicated display regions. For example, a dialysis machinecould include three dedicated display regions that each include fourdisplay regions (e.g., four viewing panes). Each viewing pane could beassociated with a different processor, or multiple viewing panes couldbe associated with a single processor. Multiple display regions canrelate to dialysis treatment, parameters, and alarms, and multipledisplay regions can relate to the presentation of information such asmedical records and other information that may or may not be related todialysis treatment.

In some examples, the first processing device may be configured toaccept signals from one or more external sources of visual data (e.g.,via one or more ports, such as universal serial bus (USB) ports (notshown)). For example, the first processing device may receive signalsfrom an external display device (e.g., a “video-out” signal from anexternal LCD screen) that represent that images displayed on theexternal data source. The first processing device may then cause thedata received from the external data source to be displayed on thedisplay of the dialysis machine as a display region (e.g., a viewingpane) that represents the external data. Like a second display regionassociated with the second processing device 314 (FIG. 3), a displayregion associated with the external data source shares user inputdevice(s) with the first processing device.

In some examples, the first processing device and the second processingdevice may communicate with one or more user interface devices via athird processing device. In some examples, the third processing deviceis a user interface processing (UIP) device that is associated with thedialysis machine. A UIP used in dialysis machines is described, forexample, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/137,375 (“the '375application”), which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. As described in the '375 application, the UIP may “switchfocus” between a first processing device (e.g., a main processingdevice) to a second processing device (e.g., a processing deviceassociated with ancillary processes and programs). When the firstprocessing device has focus, user input devices connected to the firstprocessing device via the UIP will generally affect operation of thefirst processing device. When the second processing device has focus,the user input devices connected to second processing device via the UIPwill generally affect operation of the second processing device. Userinteractions with the user input devices will likewise generally affectoperation of whichever processing device has focus. The processingdevice that has focus may control a display associated with the dialysismachine in certain circumstances. In some examples, the processingdevice that has focus is represented by a display region (e.g., aviewing pane) that is in the active state. Switching focus, in thisexample, could designate a second display region as the active displayregion (e.g., clicking a non-active viewing pane could switch the focusof the UIP, resulting in the designation of the non-active viewing paneas an active viewing pane).

Although the processes described herein have been discussed in terms ofdialysis machines such as hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis machines,the processes described herein could, alternatively or additionally, beused in, and applied to, other medical devices.

In general, when a user interface device is said to control or affectoperation of a processing device, it is understood that userinteractions with a user interface device may cause a processing device(e.g., the first or second processing devices, or a user interfaceprocessing device) to control or affect such operation and thus theinteractions themselves may also be said to control or affect suchoperation.

Connections may be wired and/or wireless connections. When one componentis said to be connected to another component, the component may bedirectly connected or indirectly connected (via, e.g., still anothercomponent) to the other component.

The processes described herein and their various modifications(hereinafter “the processes”), are not limited to the hardware andsoftware described above. All or part of the processes can beimplemented, at least in part, via a computer program product, e.g., acomputer program tangibly embodied in an information carrier, such asone or more machine-readable media or a propagated signal, for executionby, or to control the operation of, one or more data processingapparatus, e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, multiplecomputers, and/or programmable logic components.

A computer program can be written in any form of programming language,including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed inany form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component,subrouting, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. Acomputer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or onmultiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites andinterconnected by a network.

Actions associated with implementing all or part of the processes can beperformed by one or more programmable processing devices executing oneor more computer programs to perform the functions of the processes. Allor part of the processes can be implemented as, special purpose logiccircuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array), an ASIC(application-specific integrated circuit), and/or a CPLP (complexprogrammable logic device).

Processing devices suitable for the execution of a computer programinclude, by way of example, both general and special purposemicroprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digitalcomputer. Generally, a processing device will receive instructions anddata from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both.Components of a computer include one or more processing devices forexecuting instructions and one or more memory devices for storinginstructions and data.

Components of different implementations described herein may be combinedto form implementations not specifically set forth above. Otherimplementations not specifically described are also within the scope ofthe following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dialysis system comprising: a dialysis machinethat includes a first processing device for monitoring dialysisfunctions of the dialysis machine; a second processing device; a displaydevice configured to wirelessly communicate with one or both of thedialysis machine and the second processing device; and memory configuredto store instructions that, when executed, cause the display device to:provide a first display region and a second display region, the firstdisplay region being associated with the first processing device and thesecond display region being associated with the second processingdevice, and designate either the first display region or the seconddisplay region as an active display region; wherein the display deviceis configured to automatically designate the first display region as theactive display region in response to a predetermined event, thepredetermined event including one or more notifications associated witha dialysis treatment session.
 2. The dialysis system of claim 1, whereinthe display device is configured to present information related to thedialysis treatment session in the first display region.
 3. The dialysissystem of claim 2, wherein the information related to the dialysistreatment session includes information corresponding to one or both ofpatient vital signs during the dialysis treatment session and dialysisparameters during the dialysis treatment session.
 4. The dialysis systemof claim 3, wherein the corresponding information includes informationrelated to one or more of a purification achieved by the dialysistreatment session, an efficiency of the dialysis treatment session, anda the rate at which blood flows out of a patient undergoing the dialysistreatment session.
 5. The dialysis system of claim 1, wherein thedisplay device is configured to wirelessly communicate with the dialysismachine and the second processing device.
 6. The dialysis system ofclaim 1, wherein the display device is configured to present informationrelated to one or more medical records in the second display region. 7.The dialysis system of claim 1, wherein the display device is configuredto present information that is not directly related to the dialysistreatment session in the second display region.
 8. The dialysis systemof claim 7, wherein the display device is configured to presentinformation related to one or more of medical database programs,communication programs, and a media player.
 9. The dialysis system ofclaim 1, wherein the second processing device is configured towirelessly communicate with a network.
 10. The dialysis system of claim9, wherein the network includes a medical database, and the displaydevice is configured to present information related to one or moremedical records of a patient undergoing the dialysis treatment session.11. The dialysis system of claim 1, wherein the display device isconfigured to receive user input.
 12. The dialysis system of claim 11,wherein the user input is used to control dialysis functions of thedialysis machine during the dialysis treatment session.
 13. The dialysissystem of claim 12, wherein the dialysis functions include one or moreof infusing, dwelling, and draining dialysate to and from a patient'speritoneal cavity.
 14. The dialysis system of claim 12, whereininformation related to the user input is wirelessly transmitted to thedialysis machine.
 15. The dialysis system of claim 12, wherein thedialysis functions include pumping blood of a patient through a bloodchamber of the dialysis machine, and pumping a dialysis solution througha dialysis fluid chamber of the dialysis machine.
 16. The dialysissystem of claim 15, wherein the dialysis functions include altering apressure in the blood chamber and altering a pressure in the dialysisfluid chamber.
 17. The dialysis system of claim 11, wherein the activedisplay region is responsive to the user input and the other displayregion is not responsive to the user input.
 18. The dialysis system ofclaim 11, wherein the user input is used to designate either the firstdisplay region or the second display region as the active displayregion.
 19. The dialysis system of claim 11, wherein an arrangement ofone or both of the first display region and the second display region isaltered according to the user input.
 20. The dialysis system of claim11, wherein the user input is used for data entry functions.
 21. Thedialysis system of claim 1, wherein the second processing device isintegral to the dialysis machine.
 22. The dialysis system of claim 1,wherein the second processing device performs functions isolated fromthe dialysis functions of the dialysis machine.
 23. The dialysis systemof claim 1, wherein the display device is integral to the dialysismachine.
 24. The dialysis system of claim 1, comprising a user interfacedevice configured to wirelessly provide control signals to the dialysismachine for controlling dialysis functions during the dialysis treatmentsession.
 25. A method comprising: providing, on a display deviceassociated with a dialysis machine, a first display region and a seconddisplay region, the first display region being associated with a firstprocessing device of the dialysis machine and the second display regionbeing associated with a second processing device, wherein the displaydevice is configured to wirelessly communicate with one or both of thedialysis machine and the second processing device; designating eitherthe first display region or the second display region as an activedisplay region; and automatically designating the first display regionas the active display region in response to a predetermined event, thepredetermined event including one or more notifications associated witha dialysis treatment session.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein thedisplay device is configured to wirelessly communicate with the dialysismachine and the second processing device.
 27. A method of providingdialysis treatment comprising: providing, on a display device associatedwith a dialysis machine during dialysis treatment of a patient, a firstdisplay region and a second display region, the first display regionbeing associated with a first processing device of the dialysis machineand the second display region being associated with a second processingdevice, wherein the display device is configured to wirelesslycommunicate with one or both of the dialysis machine and the secondprocessing device; designating either the first display region or thesecond display region as an active display region; and automaticallydesignating the first display region as the active display region inresponse to a predetermined event, the predetermined event including oneor more notifications associated with the dialysis treatment; whereinthe display device is configured to present information related to thedialysis treatment in the first display region and information relatedto one or more medical records associated with the patient in the seconddisplay region.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the display deviceis configured to wirelessly communicate with the dialysis machine andthe second processing device.
 29. A user interface device configured towirelessly communicate with a dialysis machine, comprising: a display; auser interface processor configured to control the display; and memoryconfigured to store instructions that, when executed by the userinterface processor, cause the display to: provide a first displayregion and a second display region, the first display region beingassociated with a first processing device of the dialysis machine andthe second display region being associated with a second processingdevice, wherein the first processing device is configured to monitordialysis functions of the dialysis machine; and designate either thefirst display region or the second display region as an active displayregion; wherein the display is configured to automatically designate thefirst display region as the active display region in response to apredetermined event, the predetermined event including one or morenotifications associated with a dialysis treatment.
 30. The userinterface device of claim 29, wherein the user interface device isconfigured to wirelessly communicate with the first processing deviceand the second processing device via the user interface processor. 31.The user interface device of claim 29, wherein the user interface deviceis configured to: receive user input; and wirelessly provide controlsignals to the dialysis machine for controlling dialysis functions basedon the user input.